Lesson 108 - Parts of the Sentence - Direct Object

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A direct object receives the action performed by the subject. The verb used with a direct object is always an action verb. Another way of saying it is that the subject does the verb to the direct object. 

 

To find the direct object, say the subject and verb followed by whom or what. If nothing answers the question whom or what, you know that there is no direct object.

 

     Example: 

     The car hit the tree. 

     The car hit whom or what? 

     Tree answers the question, so tree is the direct object.

     The car hit the tree. 

     Example: 

     The car sped past.

     The car sped whom or what?

     Nothing answers the question, so the sentence has no direct object.

The direct object must be a noun or pronoun. A direct object will never be in a prepositional phrase. The direct object will not equal the subject as the predicate nominative, nor does it have a linking verb as a predicate nominative sentences does.

Direct objects may be compound. 

     Example:

     The car hit the tree and the fence.

     The car hit whom or what?

     Tree and fence answer the question, so tree and fence are the direct objects.

     The car hit the tree and the fence.

A sentence may have a compound verb with one direct object for both verbs. 

     Example: 

     The man mowed and raked the lawn. 

     The lawn received the action of being both mowed and raked by the man.

Instructions: Find the subjects, verbs, and direct objects in these sentences.

1. The worker sanded and painted the bookcase.

2. The cat chased and caught the mouse.

3. Mike wrapped and sent the package.

4. Mother cooked and served the meal to everyone at the party.

5. The cowboy rode and broke the wild horse.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The worker sanded and painted the bookcase.

2. The cat chased and caught the mouse.

3. Mike wrapped and sent the package.

4. Mother cooked and served the meal to everyone at the party.

5. The cowboy rode and broke the wild horse.

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